Adjustable vehicle side step assemblies

ABSTRACT

A side step assembly includes a side bar configured to be coupled to a vehicle and a step. The step is configured to interlock with the side bar such that the step can selectively translate along the side bar while remaining coupled thereto.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/578,045, filed Oct. 27, 2017, and entitled “Adjustable VehicleSide Step Assemblies,” the entirety of which is incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates to side step assemblies andkits for side step assemblies for vehicles and, more specifically, sidestep assemblies having adjustable step placement.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle side step assembly is an accessory that has some popularityamong higher profile vehicles. Conventional side step assembliesgenerally include a side bar coupled to a vehicle. The side bar may havea step positioned near a door of the vehicle to allow for easier ingressand egress to and from the vehicle cabin. Such steps may not be placedin the ideal location for every user. That is, a shorter person mayprefer the side step to be at a different location than a taller person.

Accordingly, a need exists for alternative side step assemblies havingadjustable step placement.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a side step assembly includes a side bar configuredto be coupled to a vehicle and a step. The step is configured tointerlock with the side bar such that the step can selectively translatealong the side bar while remaining coupled thereto.

In another embodiment, a vehicle comprising an adjustable side stepassembly, comprising a side bar and a step. The side bar is coupled to aframe of the vehicle and includes a step attachment channel extendingalong a length of the side bar. The step includes a step couplerpositioned within the step attachment channel of the side bar. The stepis configured to selectively translate along the side bar whileremaining coupled thereto by the step coupler.

In yet another embodiment, a method of adjusting a step along a side barof a side step assembly includes positioning a step coupler of the stepwithin a step attachment channel of the side bar, sliding the step to alocation along a length of the side bar, which the step coupled ispositioned within the step attachment channel of the side bar, andtightening the step coupled to the side bar, such that the step isimmovable coupled to the side bar.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments describedherein will be more fully understood in view of the following detaileddescription, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by theclaims. The following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of a side step assembly coupled to aframe of a vehicle, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 1B depicts a side view of a side step assembly coupled to thevehicle of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 2A depicts a front view of the side step assembly of FIG. 1,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2B depicts a cross-section of the side step assembly of FIG. 1,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3A depicts a cross section of a side bar of the step assembly ofFIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3B depicts a cross section of a side bar of the step assembly ofFIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4A depicts a perspective view of an attachment bracket of the sidestep assembly of FIG. 1 in isolation, according to one or moreembodiment shown and described herein;

FIG. 4B depicts a side view of the attachment bracket of FIG. 4A,according to one or more embodiment shown and described herein;

FIG. 5 depicts another an end cap of the side step assembly of side FIG.1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6A depicts a step of the side step assembly of FIG. 1, according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6B depicts a side view of the step of FIG. 6A, according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7A depicts a cross section of the step of FIG. 6A coupled to a sidebar, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7B a cross section of the step of FIG. 6A coupled to a side bar,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8A depicts a perspective view of a side step assembly, according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8B depicts a front view of the side step assembly of FIG. 8A,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8C depicts a top view of the side step assembly of FIG. 8B,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross section of the side step assembly of FIG. 8A,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10A depicts a perspective view of a step of the side step assemblyof FIG. 8A, according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 10B depicts a side view of the step of FIG. 10A, according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10C depicts a front view of the step of FIG. 10A, according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11A depicts the side step assembly in FIG. 8A having stepspositioned in a first orientation, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 11B depicts the side step assembly in FIG. 8A having stepspositioned in a second orientation, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 11C depicts the side step assembly in FIG. 8A having stepspositioned in a third orientation, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein; and

FIG. 11D depicts the side step assembly in FIG. 8A having stepspositioned in a fourth location, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to vehicle side stepassemblies wherein the side step can be adjusted relative to a door on avehicle. For instance, embodiments can include a side bar configured forattachment to a side of a vehicle. A step is configured to slide overthe side bar and be tightened at any desired position along the side barto immovably couple the step to the side bar. Such side step assemblyallows for a user to secure a step along the side bar at any desiredposition. Moreover, the side step assembly may be loosened andreadjusted at any time and in a continuously variable fashion along alength of the side bar to meet the changing needs of the user. Hence,the placement of the step can be customized for any user to satisfy theneeds and/or comfort of the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a side and perspective view of avehicle 10 with a side step assembly 100 coupled thereto arerespectively illustrated. The side step assembly 100 may be provided toa user as a kit for the user to assemble and attach to a frame 13 of thevehicle 10. For example, such kit may include a side bar 110, end caps130, one or more attachment brackets 140 for coupling the side bar 110to a user's vehicle, and one or more steps 150. Suitable hardware (e.g.,nuts, bolts, washers, and the like) may also be included for assemblingthe side step assembly 100 to the vehicle 10 along with instructions forinstallation. It is noted that though the vehicle 10 illustrated in thefigures appears to be a truck, vehicles according to the presentdisclosure may be any type of vehicle including but not limited to,cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, busses, recreational vehicles, andthe like.

The side bar 110 is illustrated as an elongate bar extending along amajority of the passenger cabin 11 such that the side bar 110 extendsunder both a front passenger door opening 12 and a back passenger dooropening 14. However, it is contemplated that the side bar 110 may be anylength suitable for supporting a step 150 thereon. For example, in someembodiments the side bar 110 may only extend a width of a vehicle dooropening. In other embodiments, the side bar 110 may extend beyond thepassenger cabin 11 toward a rear of the vehicle 10. For example, whereinthe vehicle 10 is a truck, it may be desirable for the side bar toextend along a portion of the truck bed such that the side step assembly100 can be used for accessing the truck bed. At either end (114, 116) ofthe side bar 110 may be an end cap 130 coupled thereto.

The side bar 110 may be a hollow tube constructed of any suitablematerial, for example, aluminum, steel, plastic, and the like. The sidebar 110 may be manufactured through any suitable process, for example,extrusion. FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bar110 in isolation from the rest of the side step assembly 100. The sidebar 110 may comprise an outer cross-section perimeter 112 (as indicatedby the solid and dashed lines). The outer cross-section perimeter 112 ofthe side bar 110 may be any suitable polygonal or non-polygonal shape(e.g., triangles, squares, rectangles, circles, ovals, etc.). In thepresent embodiments, the outer cross-section perimeter 112 of the sidebar 110 is a hexagonal shape.

Extending inward from the outer cross-section perimeter 112 of the sidebar 110 are one or more channels 120. Referring also to FIG. 1A, the oneor more channels 120 may extend along an entire length of the side bar110 from a first end 114 to a second end 116. In some embodiments, theside bar 110 comprises more than one channel 120 for example, twochannels, three channels, four channels, etc. The illustratedembodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, includes four channels (120 a, 120 b,120 c, and 120 d). As will be described in greater detail herein, theone or more channels 120 may facilitate coupling of the side bar 110 tothe vehicle 10 and/or coupling the one or more steps 150 to the side bar110.

Each of the one or more channels 120 includes a base wall 122 defining adepth of the channel 120, opposing side walls 124 a, 124 b extendingfrom the base wall 122 to an outer wall 111 of the side bar 110, andretaining flanges 126 a, 126 b extending from the side walls 124 a, 124b to define a slot 127. The side walls 124 a, 124 b may be parallel toone another and normal to the base wall 122. The retaining flanges 126a, 126 b may be perpendicular to the side walls 124 a, 124 b. Theretaining flanges 126 a, 126 b may extend the entire length of thechannel 120. As will be described in greater detail herein, a couplingstructure (e.g., step coupler 160 or a bracket coupler 144, see FIG. 2B)may include a retained portion that sits within the channel and a neckportion that extends from the retained portion through the slot 127. Theretained portion may be blocked from leaving the channel by theretaining flanges 126 a, 126 b. In this way, the coupling structure cantranslate along the channel, while remaining coupled to the side bar110.

One or more of the channels 120 may be a step attachment channel 128 andone or more of the channels 120 may be a bracket attachment channel 129.The step attachment channel 128 and the bracket attachment channel 129may be substantially identical to one another though arranged atdifferent locations around the outer cross-section perimeter 112 of theside bar 110. In some embodiments, the side bar 110 may only include astep attachment channel 128.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, various views of the side step assembly 100coupled to the vehicle 10 are illustrated. FIG. 2A illustrates a frontview of the side step assembly 100. FIG. 2B illustrates across-sectional view of the side step assembly 100 and Referringspecifically for FIG. 2B, the step attachment channel 128 is configuredto slidably couple the step 150 to the side bar 110. As with any of theone or more channels 120, the step attachment channel 128 may extendalong an entire length of the side bar 110 such that a step coupler 160coupled to step 150 can be slid into the step attachment channel 128 andslid to a desired location along the side bar 110 and tightened intoplace. The side bar 110 can include multiple step attachment channels128. For example, referring also to FIGS. 2A-2B, the side bar 110 isillustrated as having two step attachment channels 128 a, 128 b locatedvertically opposed to one another as shown in FIG. 3A. However, it iscontemplated that in embodiments having two or more step attachmentchannels, the step attachment channels can be located anywhere along theouter cross-section perimeter 112 (see FIG. 3A) of the side bar 110 soas to match the attachment structures of the step 150. The stepattachment channel 128 is designed so as to secure the step coupler 160of the step 150 within the step attachment channel 128 while allowingfor lateral step movement (see FIGS. 11A-11D as an example of lateralstep movement.)

The bracket attachment channel 129 is configured to allow attachment ofthe side bar 110 to the attachment bracket 140. As with any of the oneor more channels 120, the bracket attachment channel 129 may extendalong an entire length of the side bar 110. In some embodiments, thebracket attachment channel may extend along only a portion of the lengthof the side bar 110. The side bar 110 can include multiple bracketattachment channels 129. For example, referring also to FIGS. 2A-2B, theside bar 110 is illustrated as having two bracket attachment channels129 a, 129 b located on adjacent surfaces of the side bar 110. However,it is contemplated that in embodiments having two or more bracketattachment channels, the bracket attachment channels can be locatedanywhere along the outer cross-section perimeter 112 (see FIG. 3A) solong as it does not interfere with translation of the step 150 as willbe described in greater detail herein. In some embodiments, there maynot be a bracket attachment channel 129. In such embodiments, the sidebar 110 may be directly coupled to the attachment bracket 140 throughany conventional coupling technique including, but not limited to,welding, magnetism, adhesives, and the like.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, the one or more channels 120 formed withinthe side bar 110 may cause one or more pockets 115 to be formed withinthe side bar between adjacent channels. The one or more pockets 115 maybe left open to a central hollow 113 of the side bar 110. However,referring now to FIG. 3B, where additional stiffness of the side bar 110is desired, the one or more pockets 115 may be closed off by astiffening wall 117. By closing off the one or more pockets 115 formedbetween adjacent channels with the stiffening wall 117, the rigidity ofthe side bar 110 can be improved which may allow for production oflonger side bars. Moreover, a side bar 110 with improved stiffness mayrequire fewer attachment brackets to support the side bar 110. However,it is noted that where the one or more pockets formed between adjacentchannels are left open as shown in FIG. 3A, material cost savings can beachieved as additional material (i.e., the stiffening wall 117 from FIG.3B) needed to close off the pockets 115 is unnecessary.

Referring again to FIGS. 2A-2B, the side bar 110 is coupled to thevehicle 10 through the attachment bracket 140. The attachment bracket140 can have a variety of configurations for attachment to the vehicle10. The attachment bracket 140 may be modified depending on the make andmodel of the vehicle 10. For instance, a truck of a certain make andmodel may have an attachment bracket 140 of a different configurationthan an attachment bracket 140 for a truck of a different make and/ormodel. In the present embodiments, the attachment bracket 140 is coupledto a portion of a frame 13 of the vehicle 10, for example, an innerrocker panel 15. The attachment bracket 140 may comprise one or morevehicle attachment locations wherein a fastener (e.g., a bolt) isinserted through the attachment bracket 140 and the inner rocker panel15 and secured thereto (e.g., with a nut). The attachment bracket 140may be configured to as to be secured to the inner rocker panel 15 atone location, two locations, or more.

The attachment bracket 140 includes an arm 142 that extends from underthe vehicle 10 in an outboard direction to support the side bar 110. Thearm 142 of the attachment bracket 140 includes a side bar attachmentportion 143 configured to receive the side bar 110. The side barattachment portion 143 may be shaped so as to match a portion of theouter cross-section perimeter 112 of the side bar 110. For example, inthe present embodiment, the side bar 110 includes a hexagonal outercross-section perimeter 112. The side bar attachment portion 143includes two attachment walls 145, 146 angled from one another so as tomatch an angle between two adjacent wall sections of the outercross-section perimeter 112 of the side bar 110. As noted herein, thougha hexagonal outer cross-section perimeter 112 is generally illustratedin the figures, it is contemplated that the side bar 110 can have othercross-sections including other polygonal (e.g., squares, rectangles,triangles, etc.) or non-polygonal (e.g., round, oblong, etc.) shapes. Ineither case, the side bar attachment portion 143 of the attachmentbracket 140 can be shaped so as to match a portion of the outercross-section perimeter 112 of the side bar 110 and attach to the sidebar 110 where the side bar attachment portion 143 matches the outercross-section perimeter 112 of side bar 110.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an attachment bracket 140 in isolation fromthe rest of the side step assembly 100. As shown, the attachment bracket140 can have various apertures (e.g., apertures 147 a, 147 b, 147 c, 147d) formed therein to couple the attachment bracket 140 to the vehicle 10and the side bar 110. As described above, a fastener may be insertedthrough an aperture (e.g., aperture 147 a, 147 b) of the attachmentbracket 140 and the inner rocker panel 15 of the vehicle to couple theattachment bracket 140 to the inner rocker panel 15 (see FIGS. 2A-2B).The attachment between the side bar and the attachment bracket isdescribed further below.

Referring again to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the attachment bracket 140 may becoupled to the one or more attachment bracket channels 129 formed withinthe side bar 110. To do so, a bracket coupler 144 may be used. Thebracket coupler 144 includes a retained portion 172 that is configuredto sit within a main cavity 173 of the attachment bracket channel 129and a neck portion 174 that extends from the retained portion 172. Theretained portion 172 of the bracket coupler 144 can be sized so as to beable to slide within the bracket attachment channel 129 but unable tospin. For example, the retained portion 172 of the bracket coupler 144may have a polygonal shape (e.g., hexagon) sized such that the sidewalls of the bracket attachment channel 129 block rotation of theretained portion 172. A portion of the neck portion 174 may be threadedto assist with coupling the side bar 110 to the attachment bracket 140.The retained portion 172 and the neck portion 174 may be integrallyformed (e.g., such as a bolt including hex bolts, tap bolts, structuralbolts, and the like). In other embodiments, the retained portion 172 maybe separate from the neck portion 174 (e.g., a nut coupled to an end ofthreaded fastener).

When the bracket coupler 144 is positioned within the attachment bracketchannel 129, the retained portion 172 is located within the main cavity173 of the bracket attachment channel 129 and the neck portion 174 ispositioned within the slot 127 of the attachment bracket channel 129.The retained portion 172 is prevented from exiting the bracketattachment channel 129 by the retaining flanges 126 a, 126 b. Thebracket coupler 144 can translate along the attachment bracket channel129 to a location where it is desired that the side bar 110 be coupledto an attachment bracket 140. At such location, the neck portion 174 ofthe bracket coupler 144 can be aligned with and inserted through anaperture (e.g., aperture 147 c, 147 d) located on the side railattachment portion 143 of the attachment bracket 140. A fasteningelement 176, such as a nut, can be tightened on the one the neck portionof the pin so as to couple the side bar to the bracket. Because theretained portion 172 is unable to rotate within the attachment bracketchannel 129, tightening the fastening element 176 can cause the side bar110 to be immovably coupled to the attachment bracket 140 such thatbracket coupler 144 is no longer able to slide along the attachmentbracket channel 129.

Referring again to FIG. 1B, to support the side bar 110 along the sideof the vehicle 10, there may be several attachment brackets 140. In thepresent embodiment, three attachment brackets are illustrated couplingthe side bar 110 to the side of the vehicle 10. The number of attachmentbrackets needed to support the side bar may depend on the make and modelof the vehicle 10. For instance, a truck of a certain make and model mayneed a fewer or greater number of attachment brackets for supporting theside bar 110 than a truck of a different make and/or model.

Referring now to FIG. 5, as noted herein above, positioned at either endof the side bar may be an end cap 130. The end cap may be made of thesame or a different material than the side bar 110. For example, the endcap may be made from aluminum, steel, plastic, and the like. The end cap130 is configured to close off the central portion of the side bar 110to prevent or impair debris and other contaminants from entering tohollow interior of side bar 110. The end cap 130 can also provide anaesthetically pleasing finish to either end of the side bar 110. Asillustrated, the end cap 130 can include a continuation 132 of the stepattachment channels 128 of the side bar 110. That is the step attachmentchannel 128 can continue through the end caps to allow attachment of thestep 150 to the side bar 110. This can allow a step 150 to be coupled tothe side bar 110 before or after the end caps 130 are attached. This mayallow for easier removal or addition of a step 150 from or to the sidestep assembly 100. The end cap 130 may provide an angled entrance 134 tothe step attachment channel 128. Such angled entrance 134 may make iteasier to add a step 150 to the side step assembly 100. Though notshown, it is contemplated that the bracket attachment channel 129 mayalso extend through the end cap 130.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B a perspective view and a side view of astep 150 are respectively depicted. FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate variouscross-sections of the step 150 coupled to the side bar 110. Though it iscontemplated the step 150 may have many different configurations, thestep 150 generally includes a stepping portion 154 configured to allowfor ingress and egress to and from a vehicle when the step 150 iscoupled to the vehicle 10 and a coupler portion 152, coupled to thestepping portion 154 which is configured to couple the step 150 to theside bar 110. In some embodiments, a step support portion 156 extendsbetween and couples the stepping portion to the coupler portion 152 andprojects the stepping portion 154 in an outboard direction of thevehicle 10 (see FIG. 1B). The step 150 may be constructed of anysuitable material, for example, aluminum, steel, plastic and the like.

The stepping portion 154 may be a hollow tube manufactured through anysuitable process, for example, extrusion. FIG. 7B illustrates across-sectional view of the stepping portion 154. The stepping portion154 may have an outer cross-section perimeter 153 (as indicated by thedashed line). The outer cross-section perimeter 153 of the steppingportion 154 may be any suitable polygonal or non-polygonal shape (e.g.,triangles, squares, rectangles, circles, ovals, etc.). In the presentembodiments, the outer cross-section perimeter 153 of the steppingportion 154 is hexagonal in shape.

In some embodiments, similar to the side bar 110, extending inward fromthe outer cross-section perimeter 153 of the stepping portion 154 may beone or more channels 155. The one or more channels 155 may extend alongan entire length of the stepping portion, or only a portion thereof. Insome embodiments, the side bar 110 comprises more than one channel 155for example, two channels, three channels, four channels, etc. Thepresent embodiment includes two channels 155 a 155 b. The one or morechannels 155 may facilitate coupling various accessories to the steppingportion 154 of the step 150. For example, the a step surface may becoupled to the one or more channels 155 of the stepping portion 154 toprovide a larger, more comfortable surface for stepping for the user.The one or more channels 155 of the stepping portion 154 may havesubstantially the same construction of the one or more channels 120 ofthe side bar 110. For instance, the one or more channels of the steppingportion 154 can include a base wall 180 defining a depth of the channel155, opposing side walls 182 a, 182 b extending from the base wall 180to an outer wall 181 of the stepping portion 154, and retaining flanges184 a, 184 b extending from the side walls 182 a, 182 b to define a slot185. The side walls 182 a, 182 b may be parallel to one another andnormal to the base wall 180. The retaining flanges 184 a, 184 b may beperpendicular to the side walls 182 a, 182 b. The retaining flanges 184a, 184 b may extend the entire length of the channel 155. An accessorymay couple to the one or more channels 155 in substantially the samemanner as noted herein in regards to either the side bar 110 couplingwith the attachment bracket 140 or the step 150, further describedbelow.

Referring again to FIG. 6A, a step support portion 156 may extend fromthe stepping portion 154 to the coupler portion 152. The step supportportion 156 may be coupled to the stepping portion 154 at any locationalong the stepping portion 154. In the present embodiment, there are twostep support portions 156 a, 156 b extending from both ends of thestepping portion 154 up to respective coupler portions 152 a, 152 b,such that the step 150 resembles a hoop (or U-shape) when coupled to theside bar 110. In some embodiments, the step support portion 156 may becoupled at only one end of the stepping portion 154 such that the step150 has an L-shaped appearance. In other embodiments, the step supportportion 156 may be coupled in the middle of the stepping portion 154such that the step 150 has a T-shaped appearance.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a cross section of the step support portion 156 isillustrated. The step support portion 156 may have a substantiallyidentical construction to the stepping portion 154 of the step 150. Forexample, the step support portion 156 may be a hollow tube manufacturedthrough any suitable process, for example, extrusion. Further, one ormore channels 155 of the stepping portion 154 can continue through thestep support portion 156. In some embodiments, the step support portion156 is integrally formed with the stepping portion 154. In otherembodiments, they are separate components that are coupled togetherthrough any conventional coupling techniques (e.g., welding, brazing,and the like).

The coupler portion 152 of the step 150 may be coupled to the rest ofthe step 150 through any conventional coupling techniques (e.g.,fastening, welding, brazing, and the like). The coupler portion 152 isconfigured to receive the side bar 110. The coupler portion 152 may beshaped so as to match a portion of the outer cross-section perimeter 112of the side bar 110, for example, the coupler portion 152 can be apartial sleeve that covers a portion of the outer cross-sectionperimeter of the side bar 110. In the present embodiment, the side bar110 includes a hexagonal outer cross-section perimeter 112 (see FIG.3A). The coupler portion 152 includes several wall portions (e.g., 163a, 163 b, 163 c, 163 d) that are angled relative to one another so as towrap around the outer cross-section perimeter 112 of the side bar 110.The coupler portion 152 overlaps with one or more of the step attachmentchannels 128. For example, the coupler portion 152 interfaces with astep attachment channel 128 at the top of the side bar 110 and a stepattachment channel 128 at a bottom of the side bar 110. As noted herein,though a hexagonal outer cross-section perimeter 112 is generallyillustrated in the figures, it is contemplated that the side bar 110 canhave other cross-sections including other polygonal (e.g., squares,rectangles, triangles, etc.) or non-polygonal (e.g., round, oblong,etc.) shapes. In either case, the coupler portion 152 of the step 150can be shaped so as to match a portion of the outer cross-sectionperimeter 112 of the side bar 110 and attach to the side bar 110 at alocation where the coupler portion 152 matches the outer cross-sectionperimeter 112 of side bar 110.

To couple the coupler portion 152 to the side bar 110, the step 150 mayfurther include a step coupler 160 configured to extend from couplerportion 152 and slidingly fit within the step attachment channel 128.Step coupler 160 may be similar in structure to the bracket coupler 144described herein. For example, the step coupler 160 includes a retainedportion 192 that is configured to sit within a main cavity 173 of thestep attachment channel 128 and a neck portion 194 that extends from theretained portion 192 and through the slot 127. The retained portion 192of the step coupler 160 can be sized so as to be able to slide withinthe step attachment channel 128 but unable to spin. For example, theretained portion 192 of the step coupler 160 may have a polygonal shape(e.g., hexagon) sized such that the side walls 124 a, 124 b of the stepattachment channel 128 block rotation of the retained portion 192. Aportion of the neck portion 194 may be threaded and the retained portion192 may be configured to traverse the threads of the neck portion 194 soas to tighten the step 150 to the side bar 110. The step coupler 160 mayinclude a head portion 186 that is situated on the outside of thecoupler portion 152 that can be spun with a tool. The head portion 186can be integrally formed with the neck portion 194 (e.g., such as a boltor other threaded fastener). When the head portion 186 is spun theretained portion 192 (e.g., a nut), which is prevent from spinning bythe sides walls 124 a, 124 b of the step attachment channel 128,traverses the threads of the neck portion 194 to either tighten orloosen the coupler portion 152 to the side bar 110. When tightened, thestep 150 is prevented from moving along the side bar 110. When loosened,the step 150 (by way of the retained portion 192 can slide along thestep attachment channel 128 to any desired location.

Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the coupler portion 152 of the step150 and the side bar attachment portion 143 of the attachment bracket140 may be sized so that the coupler portion 152 of the step is able toslide past the side bar attachment portion 143 of the step 150. In thisway, the side bar attachment portion 143 does not interfere with theadjustability of the step 150 along the side bar 110.

Accordingly, to adjust the step 150 along the side bar 110 of the sidestep assembly 100, the step coupler 160 may be inserted into orotherwise within the step attachment channel 128 of the side bar 110.The step 150, along with the step coupler 160, may be slide to a desiredlocation along the length of the side bar 110. For example, FIGS.11A-11D illustrate various positions that the steps 150 a, 150 b, of anyof the described embodiments, can be positioned at along the side bar110. Once, the step 150 a and/or 150 b is positioned at the desiredlocation, the step coupler 160, illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3C, can betightened to the side bar 110 as described herein. This may immovablycouple the step 150 to the side bar 110 at the desired location. Toreposition the step 150 to a different desired location, the stepcoupler can be loosened to allow the step 150 to slide along the stepattachment channel 128 of the side bar 110.

FIGS. 8A-10C illustrate another embodiment to the side step assembly100. In this embodiment, the step 150 has a coupler portion 152′ (e.g.,coupler portions 152 a′, 152 b′) that completely wraps around the sidebar 110 and step couplers 160′ that are integrally formed with thecoupler portion 152′. In this embodiment, the steps 150 can be assembledto the side bar 110 before the side bar 110 is coupled to the vehicle 10as the attachment bracket 140 (see FIG. 1A) may block movement of thestep 150 relative to the side bar 110.

Though the side step assembly 100 has been described such that the sidebar 110 comprises a channel 120 and the step comprises a step coupler160 that interlocks with the channel 120 of the side bar 110. In someembodiments, the side bar 110 may include a ridge (not shown) thatextends along the length of the side bar 110 and the step 150 includes achannel that interlocks with the ridge, such that the step 150 is ableto traverse a length of the side bar 110 through its coupling to theridge. A fastener may be use to couple the channel of the step 150 tothe ridge of the side bar 110. Embodiments can be described withreference to the following numbered clauses, with preferred featureslaid out in the dependent clauses:

1. A side step assembly comprising: a side bar comprising a channel andconfigured to be coupled to a vehicle; a step comprising a step coupler,wherein: the step coupler is configured to sit within the channel of theside bar; and the step is configured to selectively translate along theside bar while remaining coupled thereto by the step coupler.

2. The side step assembly of clause 1, wherein: the side bar comprisesan outer cross-section perimeter; and the step comprises a couplerportion configured to receive the side bar and shaped to match a portionof the outer cross-section perimeter of the side bar.

3. The side step assembly of clause 2, wherein the step coupler isconfigured to extend from the coupler portion and into the channel ofthe side bar.

4. The side step assembly of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the stepcoupler is configured to be tightened and untightened when inserted intothe channel of the side bar such that the step is selectively immovablycoupled to the side bar.

5. The side step assembly of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the channelextends along an entire length of the side bar.

6. The side step assembly of any of clauses 1-5, further comprising anend cap configured to be coupled to an end of the side bar, wherein theend cap comprises a continuation of the channel of the side bar suchthat the channel extends through the end cap.

7. The side step assembly of any of clauses 1-6, wherein: the channelcomprises retaining flanges extending along a length of the channel; thestep coupler comprises a retained portion and a neck portion extendingfrom the retained portion; and the retained portion is configured to sitwithin a main cavity of the channel and the neck portion that isconfigured to be disposed within a slot defined by the retaining flangeswhen the step is coupled to the side bar.

8. A vehicle comprising an adjustable side step assembly, comprising: aside bar coupled to a frame of the vehicle and comprising a stepattachment channel extending along a length of the side bar; and a stepcomprising a step coupler positioned within the step attachment channelof the side bar, wherein the step is configured to selectively translatealong the side bar while remaining coupled thereto by the step coupler.

9. The vehicle of clause 8, further comprising an attachment bracketcoupling the side bar to the frame of the vehicle, wherein: the side barfurther comprises an attachment bracket channel extending along at leasta portion of the length of the side bar; and the attachment bracket iscoupled to the attachment bracket channel.

10. The vehicle of clause 8 or 9, wherein: the side bar comprises anouter cross-section perimeter; and the step comprises a coupler portioncoupled to the side bar and shaped to match a portion of the outercross-section perimeter of the side bar.

11. The vehicle of clause 10, wherein the step coupler is configured toextend from the coupler portion of the step and into the step attachmentchannel of the side bar.

12. The vehicle of any of clauses 8-11, wherein the step coupler isconfigured to be tightened and untightened such that the step isselectively immovably coupled to the side bar.

13. The vehicle of any of clauses 8-12, wherein the step attachmentchannel extends along an entire length of the side bar.

14. The vehicle of any of clauses 8-13, further comprising an end capcoupled to an end of the side bar, wherein the end cap comprises acontinuation of the step attachment channel of the side bar such thatthe step attachment channel extends through the end cap.

15. The vehicle of any of clauses 8-14, wherein: the step attachmentchannel comprises retaining flanges extending along a length of the stepattachment channel; and the step coupler comprises a retained portionand a neck portion extending from the retained portion, wherein theretained portion sits within a main cavity of the step attachmentchannel and the neck portion is disposed within a slot defined by theretaining flanges.

16. A method of adjusting a step along a side bar of a side stepassembly, the method comprising: positioning a step coupler of the stepwithin a step attachment channel of the side bar; sliding the step to alocation along a length of the side bar, while the step coupler ispositioned within the step attachment channel of the side bar; andtightening the step coupler to the side bar, such that the step isimmovably coupled to the side bar.

17. The method of clause 16, wherein the step coupler is configured tobe loosened and repositioned along the length of the side bar.

18. The method of clause 16 or 17, wherein the step attachment channelcomprises: a base wall defining a depth of the step attachment channel;side walls extending from the base wall to an outer wall of the sidebar; and retaining flanges extending from the side walls and defining aslot therebetween, wherein the step coupler is retained within the stepattachment channel by the retaining flanges when the step is slid alongthe step attachment channel.

19. The method of clause 18, wherein the step coupler comprises aretained portion that sits within a main cavity of the step attachmentchannel and a neck portion that extends from the retained portion andthrough the slot.

20. The method of clause 19, wherein the retained portion of the stepcoupler is sized so as to be unable to rotate within the step attachmentchannel.

21. A side step assembly comprising: a side bar configured to be coupledto a vehicle; and a step configured to interlock with the side bar suchthat the step can selectively translate along the side bar whileremaining coupled thereto.

22. The side step assembly of clause 21, wherein: the side bar comprisesa ridge; and the step comprises a channel, wherein the channel of thestep interlocks with the ridge of the side bar.

23. The side step assembly of clause 21 or 22, wherein the step isconfigured to translate along an entire length of the side bar whileremaining coupled thereto.

24. The side step assembly of any of clauses 21-23, wherein the step isconfigured to be immovably fixed to the side bar at a predeterminedlocation.

25. A side step assembly comprising: a side bar configured to be coupledto a vehicle; and a step configured to interlock with the side bar suchthat the step can selectively translate along the side bar whileremaining coupled thereto.

26. The side step assembly of clause 25, wherein: the side bar comprisesa channel; the step comprises a step coupler, wherein: the step coupleris configured to sit within the channel of the side bar; and the step isconfigured to selectively translate along the side bar while remainingcoupled thereto by the step coupler.

27. The side step assembly of clause 26, wherein: the side bar comprisesan outer cross-section perimeter; and the step comprises a couplerportion configured to receive the side bar and shaped to match a portionof the outer cross-section perimeter of the side bar.

28. The side step assembly of clause 27, wherein the step coupler isconfigured to extend from the coupler portion and into the channel ofthe side bar.

29. The side step assembly of clause 26, wherein the step coupler isconfigured to be tightened and untightened when inserted into thechannel of the side bar such that the step is selectively immovablycoupled to the side bar.

30. The side step assembly of clause 26, wherein the channel extendsalong an entire length of the side bar.

It should now be understood that embodiments of the present disclosureare directed to vehicle side step assemblies having a step that can beadjusted in a continuously variable fashion along an entire length of aside bar to any desired location. In particular, the step of the sidestep assembly can interlock with the side bar so as to be able totraverse a length of the side bar, such that the step can be positionedat any desired location. In one embodiment, side bars according to thepresent disclosure can include a channel formed therein that extendsalong the entire length of the side bar. The step is configured tointerlock with the channel such that the step can be positioned at anydesired location along the length of the side bar. Hence, the placementof the step can be customized for any user to satisfy the needs and/orcomfort of the user.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilizedherein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may beattributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or otherrepresentation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent thedegree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a statedreference without resulting in a change in the basic function of thesubject matter at issue.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it should be understood that various other changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimedsubject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimedsubject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not beutilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appendedclaims cover all such changes and modifications that are within thescope of the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A side step assembly comprising: a side barconfigured to be coupled to a vehicle; and a step configured tointerlock with the side bar such that the step can selectively translatealong the side bar while remaining coupled thereto.
 2. The side stepassembly of claim 1, wherein: the side bar comprises a channel; the stepcomprises a step coupler, wherein: the step coupler is configured to sitwithin the channel of the side bar; and the step is configured toselectively translate along the side bar while remaining coupled theretoby the step coupler.
 3. The side step assembly of claim 2, wherein: theside bar comprises an outer cross-section perimeter; and the stepcomprises a coupler portion configured to receive the side bar andshaped to match a portion of the outer cross-section perimeter of theside bar.
 4. The side step assembly of claim 3, wherein the step coupleris configured to extend from the coupler portion and into the channel ofthe side bar.
 5. The side step assembly of claim 2, wherein the stepcoupler is configured to be tightened and untightened when inserted intothe channel of the side bar such that the step is selectively immovablycoupled to the side bar.
 6. The side step assembly of claim 2, whereinthe channel extends along an entire length of the side bar.
 7. The sidestep assembly of claim 2, wherein: the channel comprises retainingflanges extending along a length of the channel; the step couplercomprises a retained portion and a neck portion extending from theretained portion; and the retained portion is configured to sit within amain cavity of the channel and the neck portion that is configured to bedisposed within a slot defined by the retaining flanges when the step iscoupled to the side bar.
 8. A vehicle comprising an adjustable side stepassembly, comprising: a side bar coupled to a frame of the vehicle andcomprising a step attachment channel extending along a length of theside bar; and a step comprising a step coupler positioned within thestep attachment channel of the side bar, wherein the step is configuredto selectively translate along the side bar while remaining coupledthereto by the step coupler.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8, furthercomprising an attachment bracket coupling the side bar to the frame ofthe vehicle, wherein: the side bar further comprises an attachmentbracket channel extending along at least a portion of the length of theside bar; and the attachment bracket is coupled to the attachmentbracket channel.
 10. The side step assembly of claim 8, wherein: theside bar comprises an outer cross-section perimeter; and the stepcomprises a coupler portion coupled to the side bar and shaped to matcha portion of the outer cross-section perimeter of the side bar.
 11. Thevehicle of claim 10, wherein the step coupler is configured to extendfrom the coupler portion of the step and into the step attachmentchannel of the side bar.
 12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the stepcoupler is configured to be tightened and untightened such that the stepis selectively immovably coupled to the side bar.
 13. The vehicle ofclaim 8, wherein the step attachment channel extends along an entirelength of the side bar.
 14. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprisingan end cap coupled to an end of the side bar, wherein the end capcomprises a continuation of the step attachment channel of the side barsuch that the step attachment channel extends through the end cap. 15.The vehicle of claim 8, wherein: the step attachment channel comprisesretaining flanges extending along a length of the step attachmentchannel; and the step coupler comprises a retained portion and a neckportion extending from the retained portion, wherein the retainedportion sits within a main cavity of the step attachment channel and theneck portion is disposed within a slot defined by the retaining flanges.16. A method of adjusting a step along a side bar of a side stepassembly, the method comprising: positioning a step coupler of the stepwithin a step attachment channel of the side bar; sliding the step to alocation along a length of the side bar, while the step coupler ispositioned within the step attachment channel of the side bar; andtightening the step coupler to the side bar, such that the step isimmovably coupled to the side bar.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe step coupler is configured to be loosened and repositioned along thelength of the side bar.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the stepattachment channel comprises: a base wall defining a depth of the stepattachment channel; side walls extending from the base wall to an outerwall of the side bar; and retaining flanges extending from the sidewalls and defining a slot therebetween, wherein the step coupler isretained within the step attachment channel by the retaining flangeswhen the step is slid along the step attachment channel.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein the step coupler comprises a retained portion thatsits within a main cavity of the step attachment channel and a neckportion that extends from the retained portion and through the slot. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein the retained portion of the step coupleris sized so as to be unable to rotate within the step attachmentchannel.